Community LINKS Intake Practitioner

Community LINKS Intake Practitioner

Wage: $22.00 per hour

FT Contract Position: Maximum of 44 hours per week

Reporting to: ICA Team Lead & Senior Social Worker

Job Purpose:

The Community LINKS Intake Practitioner collaborates with multiple independent programs, organizations, and services in Lethbridge in order to create a coordinated system to serve citizens more effectively. The ICA system is designed to serve individuals needs across diverse service providers in government, non profit, voluntary, and private sectors ranging from social and wellbeing supports to housing supports and counselling.

Individuals Served:

• Individuals who face barriers with system navigation, such as, substance use, relationship breakdown, in transition, mental health issues, chronic medical issues, etc.
• Individuals who display a willingness to participate in the program.
• Individuals who would benefit from information, service referrals, system navigation, referrals to case management and follow up.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Supporting individuals at various locations within the community
• Complete assessments and other tools with individuals requesting services
• Manage a comprehensive intake process, provide follow up and complete warm transfers between Intake and other services
• Identify needs and assist with connection to additional appropriate community resources when required
• Provide referrals, outreach, and advocacy to individuals
• Engage in person centered, recovery orientated practice focused on improving or maintaining emotional, mental and physical well-being and overall quality of life
• Actively liaise with human service organizations, health organizations, community groups, and peer support groups
• Assist individuals in accessing supports that enable them to live independently, have quality of life and/or remain housed
• Advocate for individuals and assist in navigating legal, financial and medical options available in the community
• Connection with community partners to help educate individuals on social and financial matters
• Update and maintain information on current services and supports being offered in the community.
• Complete all case notes, support plans, follow up forms and other documentation as per agency and accreditation standards
• Collect and input data for funders and partners into Efforts to Outcomes Database

Non-Client Work:

• Meetings with Supervisor as scheduled.
• Team Meetings as scheduled.
• Case Conferences as required.
• Participation in community pods as assigned.
• Community Events as assigned.
• Training as required per CMHA Policies.

Professional Skills / Abilities Required:

• Work independently in the absence of supervision
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and written
• Prioritize workload and manage time effectively
• Ability to build and nurture relationships with community agencies and professionals in the community in order to meet the referral needs of the target population
• Ability to understand and practice a strength-based approach to meeting individual needs
• Ability to build strong rapport with all individuals served
• Ability to practice reflexivity
• Experience practicing with diverse, marginalized populations
• Extensive knowledge and relationships with resources available in the community
• Effective problem solving skills, and ability to exercise reasonable and professional judgment
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as support the development of critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills in others
• Proven ability to implement system navigation and referral to appropriate services in a respectful and client-focused manner.
• Work with initiative, commitment and enthusiasm

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor degree or higher from an accredited University in a related field
• Proof of registration with a recognized regulatory body if applicable
• Knowledge and experience in harm reduction strategies, crisis intervention, and therapeutic communication
• Knowledge of outreach services, community service providers and local systems of care
• Knowledge and respect of local Indigenous culture and ways of knowing
• An understanding of homelessness, addiction, mental health and concurrent disorders

Practice Standards / Policy Compliance:

• Must be able to facilitate a Person Centered, Strength Based approach
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of Community Practice, Assertive Engagement Strategies, Crisis Intervention Techniques, and Recovery Model
• Must adhere to relevant Standards of Practice
• Must be able to maintain accurate comprehensive documentation. Documentation must be in accordance with agency standards, and according to funder requirements.
• Must adhere to all CMHA Policy and Procedures.

Conditions of Employment

• Current First Aid and CPR
• Current & Clear Criminal Record Check (less than 6 months old)
• Current & Clear Youth Intervention Check (less than 6 months old)
• Possession of valid Alberta Driver’s license
• Own or use of a reliable vehicle for work purposes
• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

COVID-19 considerations:
Staff are required to wear PPE and follow all CMHA Policies regarding cleaning and disinfecting.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $22.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

COVID-19 considerations:
Mandatory masking and social distancing policies in place. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures in place.

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• First Aid Certification (preferred)
• Class 5 Drivers License (preferred)
• Current and Clear Criminal Record Check (required)
• Current and Clear Youth Intervention Check (required)

Work Location: One location